Constitution River not an Epsom definite despite Derby market shift

Aidan O’Brien has suggested there has been no change of plan with his key Classic hopefuls despite a significant move for Constitution River in the Betfred Derby betting.

The master of Ballydoyle had previously hinted the impressive Dee Stakes winner would head to Chantilly for next Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club rather than join the crack team of colts assembled for Epsom a week later.

However, the son of Wootton Bassett was made favourite for the premier Classic by both Paddy Power and Coral on Sunday morning, with stablemate Benvenuto Cellini, who had been the market leader for Epsom, shortening for the French equivalent along with Hawk Mountain.

Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, a surprised O’Brien said: “I thought everyone was leaning towards the French Derby with Constitution River but I didn’t hear that (the market drift).

“I thought that’s the way (the French Derby) it was going for Constitution River, along with Hawk Mountain and Montreal.

“We are thinking Benvenuto Cellini, Pierre Bonnard and the placed horses in the Dante (Action and Christmas Day) are the ones for Epsom but it could change.”

The form of Constitution River’s Chester victory was given a timely boost by Karl Burke’s Golden Story at Goodwood on Saturday, with the colt now as big as 5-1 for the French Derby having been as short as 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power.

The bookmakers’ spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We have seen some notable movement in our Derby markets this morning with Constitution River shortening dramatically to 5-2 favourite from 9-2 for Epsom after sustained support, while he’s gone the other way in the French equivalent listing and has been usurped at the front of the market by Hawk Mountain for Chantilly.”